“Today’s European Parliament decision was nothing else but a petty revenge of pro-immigration politicians against Hungary,” Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told a news conference in Budapest. “The decision was made in a fraudulent way, and contrary to relevant rules in European treaties.”

Szijjarto said that abstaining votes weren’t counted, which changed the outcome. The final tally was 448-197.

Punitive Process

The vote launches the EU’s punitive process of Article 7, which suspends certain rights from a member state if it breaches the core values of the bloc.

Article 2 of the European Union states that these values are “respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and respect for human rights.”

Article 7 has never been activated before because it is considered a “nuclear option,” although it has been mooted on several occasions. Most recently, Poland came under fire because of its proposed changes to the judiciary.

Responding to the vote, Poland said it would oppose any sanctions imposed on Hungary.

“Every country has its sovereign right to make internal reforms it deems appropriate,” Poland’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement late on Wednesday, Sept. 12. “Actions aimed against member states serve only deepening divides in the EU, increasing citizens’ current lack of confidence to European institutions.”

Europe-Wide Tensions

The row over Hungary highlights tensions between nationalist and federalist factions in European countries, best exemplified by Britain, which is leaving bloc altogether in March 2019. The 197 votes against the punitive procedure highlight a substantial minority who see Orban as a crusader for the rights of nation states.

In the Netherlands, Greens lawmaker Judith Sargentini helped push the proposal through and welcomed the outcome.

Rapporteur Judith Sargentini is congratulated after members of the European Parliament took part in a vote on the situation in Hungary during a voting session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Sept. 12, 2018. (Vincent Kessler/Reuters)

She said, “Viktor Orban’s government has been leading the charge against European values by silencing independent media, replacing critical judges, and putting academia on a leash. Individuals close to the government have been enriching themselves, their friends and family members at the expense of Hungarian and European taxpayers. The Hungarian people deserve better.”

Human Rights Watch praised the “historic first” represented by the vote, saying in a blog piece: “Now EU member governments need to confirm there is a threat to EU values and to address the concerns raised by the parliament.”

“The European Parliament decisively acted to stand up for the rights of the citizens it represents, a clear and welcome reminder that rights and values are not negotiable. It is now up to EU member governments to carry this decision forward in the EU Council,” ot continued.

Orban flew to Strasbourg on Tuesday, Sept. 11, to try and intervene in the debate, saying in his speech that he would not give in to “blackmail,” but failed to offer a compromise.